Constellation 08

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[There are several piles of snow on the Plane today. There's enough of it to cover a small section of the 'floor' in it, as well as scatterings here and there. Arthur is sitting in the middle of it, dressed appropriately for the cold, at least, with a heavy winter jacket and large snow boots. His cheeks are a bright red, though whether this is because of the cold or the scotch currently being filtered by his body is anyone's guess.

There are tuffs of snow on his hair and clothes, but these are ignored in favor of the drawing in the snow he seems to be working on at the moment. Equations, to be exact] 
[Experiment start, as well~]

Comments

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Arthur has his complete attention now] Charles? [raises an eyebrow, smiling] And who's he, then?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

A very good friend of mine. He gives lectures at a university in London, but he's spending several days in Manchester.

We went out drinking.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you were the sort to go out drinking.

So will he be staying with you then, while in Manchester?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Yes, Winnie's already set up a room for him at the house. She even helped me find the old tobogan that we'd brought with us during the move.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

The old toboggan? [grins] Well, it sounds like you'll have fun enough, going to the pub, tobogganing, whatever else you two might get up to.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Theater and cinema, if we can find the time. Charles particularly enjoys the theater.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Theater and cinema and dinner too, yeah?

[pauses and he is just to be blunt, because he likes gossip and wants to know]

So do you fancy him, then?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

We normally eat at home; he likes Winnie's cooking.

[without the slightest pause or change in tone] A bit, I suppose. He's a really good friend.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Handy thinks Arthur is adorable, and he's a little surprised at how easily Arthur admits it. He assumes this is due to alcohol and Charles though, so he doesn't think too much about it.]

A really good friend? And he fancies you as well, I'm assuming. Would be foolish not to, even superficially, looks alone you turned out quite well.

[and might puff up a little at that last bit because vanity and complimenting yourself is sort of fun]

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[This actually makes Arthur pause in his work, and he looks up at Handy] Do you think so? I've never brought it up, before, so I wouldn't know. I suppose I alwayas felt ashamed of it.

[His tone implies confusion regarding this particular thought]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I very much do think so. Life's too short not to find out, and I'm sure he must at least feel something. Theater, cinema, tobogganing, staying at your home when I'm sure he could've found a hotel for the night.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

I was the one that offered him a room, when I found out he'd be traveling to Manchester. It would have been rude of me not to.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

He still could've refused. Was he up in Manchester to lecture at the University? If he was, I'm sure they offered him housing as well.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

He came to listen to one of Rutherford's physics lectures, actually.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Either way, I'm sure he didn't have to stay with you, he probably wanted to. I even bet he used Rutherford's lecture as an excuse. I'm betting he's a 'confirmed bachelor' as well, yeah?

I can't say for certain, because I don't really know him, but if I had to make a wager, I'd say he fancies you as well.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[nods] He is, yes.

I shouldn't bring it up, either way. It'd just complicate things in the long run. I rather like him as a friend, and you're not supposed to have those sorts of feelings for other men. It's sort of an unspoken rule.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a rubbish rule to me. What are you meant to do then, be alone because you prefer men instead of women?

Either way, I'd think about it if I were you.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not alone. I have Winnie with me.

I'm still not sure, though.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but that's your sister. It's not what I meant.

[shrugs]

Well, considering it doesn't mean you have to do it, just don't rule anything out.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Oh, what did you mean then?

And well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to consider.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, I meant something a bit more intimate than your sister.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Like physical intimacy, or emotional intimacy?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, the ideal would be both I think. Don't you ever want anything like that?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course. I don't expect it though.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

You should. There's plenty of men that like other men in your time, believe me. You're not an anomaly.